Colors in Your Home

Before you pick out a new home décor item or finally decide to redesign your living space, you may want to consider the psychological effects that colors have on the human body. Recent studies have proven that colors are directly associated with a person’s emotional, behavioral and mental state. A simple decision such as wall color can ultimately affect your family’s overall mood in the house and general health. The science behind this phenomena is called color psychology.

Color psychology is defined as the study of color as a factor in human behavior. This means that your decision to utilize blue on your walls may create a feeling of serenity in your home compared to brighter colors. The choice in using contemporary colors verses rational beige can indirectly be affecting your emotions and physical well being. Certain colors are known to raise blood pressure, increase metabolism, add anxiety, or even cause eyestrain.

The psychology of color has been broken down into two categories that largely assist with understanding the deeper meaning behind what colors truly do to the human body. Cool colors are known to ignite feelings of calmness and sadness. These are known to consist of greens, blues and purples. In contrast, warm colors like red, yellow and orange can inspire feelings anywhere between anger and hostility to warmth and comfort. So how do families that cannot afford a personal interior designer know to stray clear of colors that may be causing their family added nervousness or tension?

Faber Birren, author of “Color Psychology and Color Therapy: A factual Study of the Influence of Color on Human Life,” breaks down the affects of colors on our bodies and describes what colors are recorded to influence certain feelings and thoughts. Purple is known to stir creativity and innovation through the mind. It blends both blue and red, which provides an equal balance between tranquility and stimulation. For a gentler outlook, green or blue is recommended because it is considered restful. The eye focuses the color green directly on the retina, which is automatically less straining on the eye muscles. Blue is also known to lower blood pressure, which is why many interior designers recommend blue for places like the bedroom for a more relaxing feeling and stimulation throughout the body.

The psychology of color is constantly affecting our emotions. Whether in the living room or office, the colors we choose to display in our homes are affecting our health. According to interior designers, it is vital to choose colors that are both aesthetically pleasing and beneficial to your health. Next time you are debating between an eclectic orange tint for your kitchen or traditional sea green, you may want to think twice before you pick up your paintbrush.